Jewelry clip used to attach jewelry to apparel and accessories

ABSTRACT

A jewelry clip used to attach jewelry to apparel or accessories. The jewelry clip comprises a clip apparatus including an s-shaped clip back that bows out from a top portion into a transitioning portion, the transitioning portion curving to a vertical front and tapering at a tapering portion into a pressure sensitive contact area portion that rests parallel to the vertical front, the pressure sensitive contact area portion including a base with a size that is proportional to the size of a companion jewelry, and the companion jewelry attached to the clip apparatus at the vertical front.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/826,830, entitled “A JEWELRY CLIP USED TO ATTACH JEWELRY TO APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES,” filed on May 23, 2013, and 61/826,835 entitled “MAGNETIC BEAD THAT CAN BE ATTACHED TO STRAPS OR STRINGS ON APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES”, filed May 23, 2013, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention described herein generally relates to a jewelry clip used to attach jewelry to apparel and accessories.

2. Description of the Related Art

The jewelry industry features many types of jewelry, however, jewelry has not kept pace with current fashion trends. Clothing trends are clean-lined, often with simple necklines that require a new type of jewelry to enhance their appearance. Older styles of jewelry do not complement current fashions. These antiquated jewelry styles include brooches and pins which can damage clothing. Trendy, bulky jewelry is too big and heavy for the minimalist designs in fashion.

Undergarments are also now worn as chic outerwear and there is no jewelry made exclusively for this style of clothing. Bra and camisole designs are simple, and to date, there is no jewelry designed to make these garments sparkle and shine. Many swimsuit designs are clean and plain and there is no detachable jewelry made exclusively to make swimwear more beautiful. Trends in bridal wear feature simple, elegant dresses, often with strapless designs. Other than old-style brooches or classic necklaces and earrings, there is no jewelry made exclusively to attach to wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, and apparel for female wedding guests. Traditional pins and brooches require the use of pins, which damage the fabric or material of apparel and accessories. Pins and brooches permanently pierce the fabric or material of apparel and accessories, leaving holes in the fabric or material.

Currently, there is no jewelry designed exclusively to attach to, and enhance the appearance of apparel and accessories without damaging the fabric or material in the way that traditional pins and brooches do. There is thus a need to for a new way to attach jewelry directly onto apparel and accessories, without using pins or hooks, which can damage the fabric, or material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a jewelry clip is provided that includes a clip apparatus that further includes: a clip back having an s-shaped portion that extends outwardly from a top portion of a vertical front of the apparatus into a first curve, transitions into a transition portion, then curves outwardly into a second curve, and then into a contact area portion that is essentially parallel to the vertical front, the contact area portion forming a base with a size that is proportional to the size of a companion jewelry; and the companion jewelry attached to the clip apparatus at the vertical front.

In at least one embodiment, the base of the contact area portion comprises one of: an oval, square, rectangle, triangle, star, heart, and circle shaped base.

In at least one embodiment, the base of the contact area portion comprises a flared oval base.

In at least one embodiment, the base of the contact area portion further comprises a rounded oval tip.

In at least one embodiment, the clip apparatus has a height from a top to a bottom of the apparatus that is within a range of half an inch to three inches in size.

In at least one embodiment, the base of the contact area portion has a length of about 30% of the size of the companion jewelry.

In at least one embodiment, the s-shaped portion of the clip back extends out of the vertical front essentially orthogonally thereto.

In at least one embodiment, the first curve has an arc length R1 and the second curve has an arc length R2, and wherein R2 is at least two times R1.

In at least one embodiment, the transition between the first and second curves is a straight, planer section having a length of at least R1.

In at least one embodiment, the vertical front is between +/−5 degrees relative to the contact area portion 102.

In at least one embodiment, a vertical dimension, from a top to a bottom of the clip apparatus, of the s-shaped portion is less than a vertical dimension of the contact area portion.

In at least one embodiment, the vertical dimension of the s-shaped portion is greater than the vertical dimension of the contact area portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the apparatus coupled to a jewel front according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of the apparatus coupled to a jewel front according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate exemplary dimensions of the apparatus coupled to a jewel front according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a jewelry clip according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a jewelry clip according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of one side and the front of a jewelry clip according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of one side and the rear of a jewelry clip according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any example embodiments set forth herein; example embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense. Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have nuanced meanings suggested or implied in context beyond an explicitly stated meaning. Likewise, the phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. It is intended, for example, that claimed subject matter include combinations of exemplary embodiments in whole or in part.

As discussed, the state of the art in jewelry does not feature jewelry designed exclusively to attach to, and enhance the appearance of apparel and accessories without damaging the fabric or material in the way that traditional pins and brooches do. According to embodiments of the present invention, a jewelry clip is provided as a new way to attach jewelry directly onto apparel and accessories, without using pins or hooks, which can damage the fabric or material. The jewelry clip is better than traditional pins and brooches, because it allows attachment of jewelry to clothing and accessories without damaging the fabric or material. As such, embodiments of the present invention also provide for a jewelry clip that slips on to apparel and accessories without the use of pins or hooks. One can use the jewelry clip to enhance the appearance of apparel and accessories, without damaging the fabric or material. The jewelry clip is designed to be worn on apparel and accessories including, but not limited to, swimsuits, intimates, apparel, bridal wear and accessories, such as purses, necklace chains and belts. The jewelry clip could also be featured on shoes, boots, tote bags, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, hats, scarves, and headbands. The jewelry clip may be slipped over the fabric or material of these items and held in place by a pressure sensitive design according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 presents a side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 includes an s-shaped clip back 101 featuring a curved, s-shaped portion, configured to allow an opening in the apparatus to expand for slipping the apparatus over, for example, clothing fabric, while the vertical front 104 of the apparatus remains stationary relative to the s-shaped clip back 101. It is between the vertical front 104 and the contact area portion 102 of clip back that a contact area is created. The s-shaped portion of the clip back 101 extends out of the vertical front 104, for example, essentially orthogonally thereto, begins to curve inwardly at the top such that the first curve of the s-shape has an arc length R1, that transitions into a straight/planer transition portion, then curves outwardly away from the vertical front 104 such that the second curve of the s-shape has an arc length R2 and finally into a straight/planer contact area portion 102 that is parallel or about parallel (+/−5 degrees or more preferably 3 degrees) to the vertical front 104. A pressure-sensitive contact area on the inner surface of the contact area portion 102 is created between the clip back 101 and the vertical front 104.

In at least one embodiment, R1 is at least two times R2, and more preferably at least 2.5 times R2. Arc length R1 may include an angle θ_R1 that is between 90 degrees and 180 degrees, and arc length R2 may include an angle θ_R2 that is less than 90 degrees. Moreover, the length of the transition between the first and second curves is at least R1. Finally, the vertical dimension (top to bottom) of the s-shaped portion may be less than the vertical dimension of the contact area portion such that a ratio thereof is less than 1. However, in another embodiment, the vertical dimension of the s-shaped portion may be greater than the vertical dimension of the contact area portion for larger sized clips. It is believed that these dimensions provide a balance of clamping pressure to retain the clip to garments while limiting damage to the garment.

The s-shaped clip back 101 further includes a rounded oval or bull nose tip 103 at the oval base below the contact area portion 102 to facilitate slipping the s-shaped clip back over apparel. Tie bars/money clips flare out at the bottom, thus making them uncomfortable to wear and unsuitable for attaching jewelry to clothing and accessories, particularly for bras and shoes. Whereas, the interior of the oval tip 103 is slightly rounded away from the vertical front 104 to create a gap at the bottom of the clip back, before the contact area portion. The gap at the bottom of the clip back allows the jewelry clip to easily separate to accommodate fabric or material.

A jewel or jewelry ornament may be attached seamlessly to the vertical front 104 and can vary in its visual or ornamental appearance. The apparatus provides for seamlessness and appears to become one piece of jewelry that slides on to apparel and accessories without damaging the fabric. The apparatus 100 may be tempered and folded in order to have flexibility and memory. Furthermore, apparatus 100 may be cast and folded such that pressure is applied to vertical front 104 by s-shaped clip back 101 at the contact area portion 102. The apparatus 100 may be created in various sizes, ranging from half an inch to three inches in size.

FIG. 2 presents a rear view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the s-shaped clip back 101 flares into an oval base at the contact area portion 102, providing a larger surface area at the contact area. The contact area portion 102 may be constructed in any shape or design. The contact area portion 102 may also vary in size in proportion to a piece of jewelry attached to the apparatus 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the contact area portion 102 is sufficiently large to disperse pressure applied by the s-shaped clip back. With a sufficiently large contact area portion 102, stress caused by clipping the apparatus 100 onto apparel is reduced and may eliminate or reduce damage or wear to the attached apparel.

Contact area portion 102 may either be sized by length or width in proportion to or of a specific percentage of the size of an attached jewelry. Sizing of the contact area portion 102 is described in further detail with respect to the description of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Some embodiments, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 2, feature an s-shaped portion with an oval contact area portion that provides a larger contact area to hold the jewel securely in place. The oval base of the s-shaped clip could be reconfigured in other embodiments in a variety of geometric shapes including: a square, rectangle, triangle, star, heart or circle. Certain embodiments may also feature a base of the s-shaped clip that includes ornamental designs on the rear-facing surface (as in FIG. 2).

FIG. 3 presents a side view of the apparatus coupled to a jewel front and FIG. 4 presents a rear view of the apparatus coupled to the jewel front according to another embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 may be integrated as part of a companion jewel, appearing as one with the jewel. An s-shaped clip can be cast in metal from a specially created mold. The apparatus 100 may be cast separately from the jewel front 301 and made of a metal or other material different from the jewel front 301. Once the clip is cast, the contact area at the oval base may be created by pinching the oval base 102 of the s-shaped clip towards the vertical front 104, between which the contact area is created. A companion jewel may be attached seamlessly to the vertical front 104 by glue, solder, screws, bolts or magnets. In other embodiments, vertical front 104 may include a channel design which allows for the apparatus 100 to slide down the back of a jewel front 301 or its assembly and seamlessly attach. According to another embodiment, the apparatus 100 may be attached to the back of the jewel front 301 via other means such as using clips, hooks, notches, snaps, or adhesives.

The apparatus 100 comprising the s-shaped clip back can easily slip onto apparel and accessories and held in place. In one embodiment, a method for attaching jewelry to apparel comprises aligning a piece of jewelry including an s-shaped clip on the back of the piece of jewelry with fabric or material between the rounded oval tip 103 and the vertical front 104, the s-shaped clip back 101 facing inward or toward the wearer. The method further comprises sliding the jewel with the s-shaped clip down, so that the fabric slides up between the s-shaped clip back 101 and the vertical front 104. The s-shaped clip back 101 expands away from the vertical front 104 in order to accommodate the fabric or material. The jewel with the s-shaped clip stops sliding naturally when the fabric reaches the top of the s-shaped clip back. The jewel with the s-shaped clip is held securely in place by the pressure-sensitive contact area that is created between the s-shaped clip back 101 and the vertical front 104 at the base.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 present exemplary dimensions of the apparatus coupled to a jewel front according to an embodiment of the present invention. Excessive pressure in a concentrated area can deform fabric of apparel such as clothing. Accordingly, sizing of the contact area portion 102 (e.g., a flaring) may be constructed to be sufficiently large enough to reduce and distribute the pressure applied by the contact area to an area of fabric being attached to (e.g., apparel). The contact area may be a percentage or proportional to the size or weight of the jewelry. A width of the contact area may be greater than s-shaped clip back 101 and less than the width of the jewel front. In certain embodiments, the length of the s-shaped portion of the clip back 101 may include a length approximately 70% (or 65%-75%) of the length of the jewel front and the contact area length may be approximately 30% (or 30%-35%) of the length of the jewel front, such that the s-shaped clip back 101 is not visible when the apparatus is worn.

For example, the jewel front illustrated in FIG. 5 has a total length and total width of one inch. The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6 includes an S-shaped clip length 605 that is 11/16 of an inch and a contact area length that is 5/16 of an inch. The s-shaped clip includes a top portion 601 that is ⅛ of an inch, a transition portion 602 that bows out, and a tapering portion 603 that is 6/16 of an inch and tapers into the contact area. In some embodiments, the length of top portion 601 may be half the height of jewel front 301. The transition portion 602 comprises a rounded fold or curve including a clearance 606 of a radius equal to the length of the top portion 601.

FIG. 7 through FIG. 10 present views of a jewelry clip according to an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated jewelry clip includes an exemplary ornament front 701 in the shape of an anchor. The jewelry clip may be cast in alloy metal as a single piece, featuring the jewel on the front, a vertical middle member (vertical front 104) in the center and an s-shape clip on the back. The jewelry clip includes a pressure sensitive clip design that slips on to, for example, clothing, swimwear, intimates, bridal wear, shoes, handbags, necklaces, belts, and earrings, to hold jewelry securely in place without the use of pins, hooks or chains. The clip 800 may be an s-shaped design, which bows out at the top and curves back in at the middle and tapers in at the base to rest parallel to the vertical middle member. The interior tip of the clip 800 is slightly rounded to create a small gap at the bottom of the s-shaped clip, before the contact area. This small gap at the bottom of the s-shaped clip allows the jewelry clip to easily separate to accommodate fabric or material. The pressure sensitive flare at the base holds the jewel firmly in place on to apparel and accessories. The base of the s-shaped clip could also be reconfigured in such a way that it does not flare, but rather continues as a single, straight piece, as illustrated, which would reduce the contact area as a tradeoff.

FIGS. 1 through 10 are conceptual illustrations allowing for an explanation of the present invention. Notably, the figures and examples above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment, as other embodiments are a possible way to interchange some or all of the described or illustrated elements. Moreover, where certain elements of the present invention can be partially or fully implemented using known components, only those portions of such known components that are necessary for an understanding of the present invention are described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components are omitted so as not to obscure the invention. In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not necessarily be limited to other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, applicants do not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the relevant art(s) (including the contents of the documents cited and incorporated by reference herein), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art(s).

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail could be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A jewelry clip comprising: a clip apparatus comprising: a clip back having an s-shaped portion that extends outwardly from a top portion of a vertical front of the apparatus into a first curve, transitions into a transition portion, then curves outwardly into a second curve, and then into a contact area portion that is essentially parallel to the vertical front, the contact area portion forming a base with a size that is proportional to the size of a companion jewelry; and the companion jewelry attached to the clip apparatus at the vertical front.
 2. The jewelry clip of claim 1 wherein the base of the contact area portion comprises one of: an oval, square, rectangle, triangle, star, heart, and circle shaped base.
 3. The jewelry clip of claim 1 wherein the base of the contact area portion comprises a flared oval base.
 4. The jewelry clip of claim 1 wherein the base of the contact area portion further comprises a rounded oval tip.
 5. The jewelry clip of claim 1 wherein the clip apparatus has a height from a top to a bottom of the apparatus that is within a range of half an inch to three inches in size.
 6. The jewelry clip of claim 1 wherein the base of the contact area portion has a length of about 30% of the size of the companion jewelry.
 7. The jewelry clip of claim 1, wherein s-shaped portion of the clip back extends out of the vertical front essentially orthogonally thereto.
 8. The jewelry clip of claim 1, wherein the first curve has an arc length R1 and the second curve has an arc length R2, and wherein R2 is at least two times R1.
 9. The jewelry clip of claim 8, wherein the transition between the first and second curves is a straight, planer section having a length of at least R1.
 10. The jewelry clip of claim 1, wherein the vertical front is between +/−5 degrees relative to the contact area portion
 102. 11. The jewelry clip of claim 1, wherein a vertical dimension, from a top to a bottom of the clip apparatus, of the s-shaped portion is less than a vertical dimension of the contact area portion.
 12. The jewelry clip of claim 1, wherein a vertical dimension, from a top to a bottom of the clip apparatus, of the s-shaped portion is greater than a vertical dimension of the contact area portion. 